62 | Technology for Good: Leadership, Community, and Culture Transformation

The Data Binge

Today's episode is a special "Black History Month" Simply Tech LIVE interview, produced this time, by my co-host, Ali Mazaheri, and featuring our guests, Sonya Weaver-Johnson: Director of Sales for Healthcare and Life Sciences at Microsoft, and Celeste Alleyne, Director of Executive Engagements for Content Operations & Corporate Events.

We visit topics across the episode ranging from the very idea of Technology for Good and what that means, to the power of community and culture transformation in large organizations, to how to build communities - however that may need to come about, whether in organization or in your local community. Both Sonya and Celeste really bring an incredible energy that you'll feel in the discussion, I'm proud to be connected to these two women, and so happy that we can share some of their perspective with you today.

Key Take-aways:

[06:19] Sonya & Celeste describe their current roles at Microsoft, and their journey into big-tech

[10:12] A description of what “Technology for Good” actually means, as a focus area for business

[12:40] The Global Skills Initiative, and the impact that skilling can have on the digital divide as exacerbated by the global pandemic

[14:48] Sonya’s opportunity to be part of Nasdaq’s closing bell ceremony, to kick off Black History Month

[15:23] The Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) employee resource group, and the foundations of its mission oriented pillars

[17:50] National Ambassador Councils, and how assembling people within distinct communities can generate lasting change and impact at scale

[20:18] The new Empathy in Action initiative at Microsoft in response to needed culture change, and Celeste’s visit with Brian Stevenson from the Equal Justice Initiative

[22:14] The most critical components in building successful communities

[25:10] What both Celeste and Sonya both wish they knew Ten years ago coming into their career

[28:06] Guidance on how organizations can approach using technology or business for good

[29:49] Q&A: The difference between a mentor and a sponsor

Memorable Quotes:

[22:18] “I think community building is something that we do out of your heart really, right? And so, when you think about building a community or think you have what it takes, I think there are three imperatives I call the three Ps. You have got to have the Passion for bringing folks together. You have to be Persistent, and you also have to be Patient. And there is no compromising on those three things.” - Sonya Weaver-Johnson

[23:16] “I have three things that have people to take away in terms of building communities. When we first get started with the Ambassador Councils, we want to bring people of all backgrounds and various backgrounds together. So that was number one. Number two was we wanted people to feel empowered to be creative. We did not want to tell them what they should do, but we wanted them to figure out what is important for their community within their city. The third one is to look at what is working and build from there because there are a lot of things that people are already doing yet we are right on point for the city that they live in… And of course, the fourth one is resources.” - Celeste Alleyne

[25:24] “A mentor is someone who can coach you, who is someone who can listen to you, and someone who can guide you. A sponsor is a person that actually could get you your next promotion and your next opportunity. A sponsor is somebody who is going to be in that room to say no, he or she is the right person for this opportunity, for this job.” - Celeste Alleyne

[25:56] “I think for me, the words smart, articulate, eloquent, and someone who speaks up are not bad words. But they are when someone says this person is so aggressive. I heard that my entire career. When you say that a man is aggressive when he is articulate, smart, speaks up, and has something to say? No, you don’t. So, I have learned not to give myself up about being able to speak up because I feel that I have a voice, and that voice is going to be helpful not just to know other people but to my company as a whole and to the work that we are doing. So I tell all young women to not be afraid to speak up.” - Celeste Alleyne

[27:08] “I think many of us get caught up in working hard and long hours, and even working smart, but the fact of the matter is that the progression and acceleration that you can receive in your career through that of a sponsor often outplays what you can do on your own.” - Sonya Weaver-Johnson

[28:14] “If you have an end goal you want to get to, you have to first have a goal. So you’ll set goals and don’t be afraid to set big goals for yourself. Also, you want to stay the course, keep your eye on that prize… make sure that you learn from your setbacks. That is an opportunity to grow.” - Sonya Weaver-Johnson

[28:47] “If your intentions are good, check your intentions, number one. Number two, I always tell people to do their research, know what you are going after and know it very well, and also know your brand, like building your brand. And then lastly, take one or things and do it well and build out results and metrics from those two things.” - Celeste Alleyne

[29:58] “(on getting sponsors) I have learned that I always ask for what I want because if you don’t ask for it, you won't get it… Do not be afraid to ask someone who you admire and whose work you think is impeccable, and who knows you very well. That is the key they have to know you. ” - Celeste Alleyne

[31:02] “I think the best sponsors are those that have proximity to you, those who know your strengths and weaknesses, those who have seen you in action, because those sponsors are more likely to go to bat for you at the end of the day.” - Sonya Weaver-Johnson

Resources:

Sonia Weaver-Johnson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonyaweaverjohnson/

Celeste Alleyne on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/celeste-alleyne-9b9bab2/

Global Skills Initiative - https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2020/06/30/microsoft-launches-initiative-to-help-25-million-people-worldwide-acquire-the-digital-skills-needed-in-a-covid-19-economy/

The Microsoft Accelerate Program - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/us-partner-blog/2020/12/08/a-new-program-to-level-the-playing-field-microsoft-accelerate/

Equal Justice Initiative - https://eji.org/

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*The views and opinions expressed in this discussion are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official position of their employer, Microsoft" 

Thank you for listening!

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